Macrolide-refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: case report and literature review

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes various extra-pulmonary complications. As a rare but fatal hematological complication, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) can be observed in children with M. pneumoniae infection. We report a case of a 6-year-old girl with HLH who was initially presumed to have macrolide-refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Despite the combination treatment of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, she showed persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia. Secondary HLH associated with M. pneumoniae should be considered if unexplained clinical deterioration is noted in children with macrolide-refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia.

Keywords

• child
• lymphohistiocytosis, hemophagocytic
• macrolides
• mycoplasma pneumoniae
• treatment failure